Are you familiar with South Carolina's "Move Over" law?

After 17 years on the S.C. Highway Patrol, I can assure you that I have been a witness to so many incidents that I could write a book. There have been some comical incidents, but many more hair raising ones too.

Usually when something happened, it was the result of a traffic stop. You never know if you're stopping this speeding car because he/she is late for work or just committed a crime. When you walk up to a vehicle at night time, you're even more at a disadvantage because of the darkness. You're relying on your training and for your flashlight to illuminate everything that you're trying to see.

The last thing you want to worry about is being struck by an approaching vehicle, but that thought does stay in the back of your mind. There have been times when I heard tires screeching behind me as I was giving directions to a motorist on Interstate 95, cars colliding next to me while I was assisting the tow truck driver with my flashlight and I felt the hair on my arms stand up when a tractor trailer passed me at 70 miles and hour on the interstate, but within a foot of me as I was changing a tire for a stranded motorist.

According to a national poll by Mason Dixon Polling & Research, sponsored by the National Safety Commission, 71 percent of Americans have not heard of "Move Over" laws. Incidents in which workers are struck while working at the scene of a collision, traffic stop or in work zones continue in South Carolina and nationwide.

More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America's highways, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Four South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers have been struck by vehicles and killed since 1981 while working: Today, we have a law in place to protect us and it's called the "Emergency Scenes" law and also known as the "Move Over" law.

The S.C. Code of Laws Section 56-5-1538 defines an emergency scene as "a location designated by the potential need to provide emergency medical care." It is identified by emergency vehicles with flashing lights, rescue equipment, or emergency personnel on scene.

South Carolina's "Move Over" law also provides protection for highway workers. Section 56-5-1536 also requires motorists to "move over" into an adjacent lane whenever possible when passing temporary work zones. A temporary work zone is defined as "an area on a roadway identified by orange work zone signs or equipment with flashing lights, and the presence of workers on the scene."

Drivers approaching a temporary work zone or an emergency scene are required by law to:

• Keep their vehicle under control;

• Proceed with due caution;

• Significantly reduce their vehicle speed;

• Yield the right of way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the temporary work vehicle or equipment if on a highway with at least four lanes, with at least two lanes proceeding in the same direction;

• Maintain the safe speed for road conditions if changing lanes is impossible or unsafe.

Endangering temporary work zone or emergency personnel is considered a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $300 no more than $500. Obeying this little-known law can save a life and prevent injury.

The message we are trying to send is that if you see flashing lights, there is a potential hazard ahead. Adjust your speed and began moving into the opposing lane. This gives emergency workers room to work. It is common sense but many people don't realize it's the law in South Carolina as well as most other states.

Until next time, don't be ejected from life. Buckle up.

If you would like a trooper to speak at your school, business, civic group, and church or for more information, please visit our web site at www.SCHP.org. Contact Lance Cpl. Bob Beres at rberes@schp.org

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I see this a lot and I still don't understand why drivers don't move over, even if it is not a law.... It just make's sense but I guess there is not a lot of that going around,if you know what I mean? They should also have it set up,under a law,that people should move out of the left lane if they are slowing down traffic behind them....But if there is such a law in S.C. then why don't the police or sheriffs deputies enforce it ???? I see this a lot of times also....

but do, especially on the Broad River Bridge. Thank you for posting this, as I know a lot of my fellow drivers don't practice it. I put on emergency flashers when I see blue lights ahead to let folks behind me know that I am going to slow down.